Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C accident near Orient, Ohio, September 26, 2010
On September 26, 2010 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C, registered N667DF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Orient, Ohio (Pvt Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to disconnect the tow bridal line prior to takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 26, 2010 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Orient, Ohio · Pvt Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C
- Registration
- N667DF · registry record · serial C-88
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot planned for a short local flight with a passenger between his continuous aero-tow operations. In an effort to expedite the quick passenger flight, the pilot disconnected the tow line; however, he left the V-Bridal line attached to the rudder post of the airplane. The pilot had conducted previous flights in the same configuration without incident. During taxi, the pilot turned the airplane 180 degrees to position it for an upwind takeoff. Shortly after rotation, the pilot experienced an uncommanded right turn. He attempted to counteract the turn to no avail. The airplane impacted terrain with the right wing and right main landing gear. Examination of the airplane by the pilot and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the V-Bridal line became entangled in the rudder and tailwheel during the takeoff.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- 300333 during nose over
- 650470 during 650
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › (general) › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Empennage structure › Rudder › Not specified
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land, none, none, none
- Flight time: 258 hours in all; 182 in this make and model; 9 in the last 30 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 22, 2009
- Medical certificate: class 3
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 251 hours
- Last inspection: type not recorded, May 16, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 990 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operating certificate: in the vicinity
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Orient OH at 5:30 pm
- Destination: PVT Orient OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; clear
- Temperature: 68°C, dew point 0°C
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Other NTSB records under N667DF the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN10CA569.